Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1887-01-03


slowly along after our friend, the
night wstchman, aud assisting him in
seeing all safe and sound. Had We
heen more nervous, the hideous
groups of natives. life size. would
certainly have disconnected rs. As
it was. we were only amused by the
rutfiAn with a small suet chopper
hanging from his nose, and the more
refined savsge with sharks teeth in
his ears and around his neck As
We approached one of the monster
dining looms of the place We again
heard the watchnan.
There's more than one coming,
said VIII. as we crouched behind a
huge stuffed fish.
They sound like whole regiment,
a dozen at least, | said. as we heard
the compact tramp OF many feet
stepping very lightly. As, however,
it did not get nearer, but kept going
ON. our curiosity got the better of Us,
and we rose and looked around the
corner. What sight Across the
floor. in the moonlight, disappearing
by hole at the dining room, was a
living stream OF rats-huge gray ones
and sleek brown ones, some nearly
black. 1t was evidently one OF those
noted restaurants. never saw 80
many rats before. Unfortunately,
Just behind us on s stand was pile
of small brass gods from Burmah.
| knew it was wrong, but it was the
only damage We did during the whole
night. aud the temptation was ire
sistible. Seized with the same i'm
pulse, we caught up two and hurled
them st the rats. What a commo-
ton. Squealing, running in all dl-
Tections. Never did those two idols
strike such terror before. But in
stead of following up their advantage
the two little gods lay still, on the
floor, and one of t wise old rats
stole softly up and felt first one and
then the other with his whiskers, and
then trotted slowly of. Soon be
brought back more. and in another
minute the rats were running over
the gods as if they were two stones
lying in the way. So much for fa-
miliarity. No one shall get too fa-
miliar with me. Locking down the
gallery we saw star shining like an
electric-light near the floor OF the
building.
They've forgotten to turn that out,
said Will. Did you ever see such a
light? 1t can't be our friends Ian
tern.
1t may be hole, and light coming
through. | replied, advancing cau-
tiously. The nearer We got the bright
er it shOne, sending a perfect stream
of rays before Us. We began TO feel
the tea working again in our terror.
but still we crept on, when unmis-
taxable steps behind compelled us to
go faster; and thus urged on from
the rear. we found it was the huge
glass eye of a gigantic fish sparkling
in the moon. We got behind piano
near. and saw two OF our enemies
approaching. Something lad evi-
IDENTIFY reused their suspicious, for
they were talking earnestly and
swinging their lanterns in every di-
rectiOn.
If they had only a dog, it would
all be up, whispered viii.
Something wrong inside here,
Marston, said one watchman to the
other. Them idols cannot move Of
themselves, I'll warrant.
If | catch any thieying rascal in
here, responded the ferocious Mars
ton in blood-curdlIng tones, I'll make
short work with him, whoever he is.
Whoever is in will stop in, Mars
ton, that's certain. I've been TO ev-
cry door, so there's 20 way out.
Wen come across him afore morn
ing.
Blue lookout, cried Will. There
they go. Wait till they are out Of
hearing and then we'll have tune.
In spite of all NY entreaties, viii
opened the piano, and regardless Of
the risk, while / held the lantern,
played with one thumb, "God save
the quesn," as near the top Of the
piano as be could. | kept listening
intenuy. and at last heard steps in
the distance.
We must fly; quick, VIII come /
along. And away we went behind !
some large curtains a short distance
of. Then we stopped and listened.
All was stIll again. and presently We
started on. / think we walked for l
half an hour to the most remote por-
ton OF the building before We halted
before the squatter's hut. On bench
was basin Of water, a towel and
piece Of soap lay near.
I'll have a wash, Noryal, You
keep watch.
30 VIII gave himself a good pol
Ish, for We had accumulatbd lot of
dust IN hiding behind pianos and 1
curtains, and ] followed sull. We
then tried 10 get into the hut, but
the door was fast, 20 We got in thro'
he window. Two comfortable
soaches lay along the wsll covered
With rugs,
Fasteu that window, Noryal, and